UPCOMING CONCERTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD health & wellness >> sports • WRCJ 941.9 FM presents the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Neighborhood King Of The TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONY NO. 5 Refs Leonard Slatkin, conductor Jeffrey Zook, piccolo Steve Stein Contributing Writer Thu., May lo at 7:3o p.m. At Congregation Shaarey Zedek, T 27375 Bell Rd., Southfield Vivaldi Piccolo Concerto Haydn Symphony No. 67 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 WA' Tickets just $251 D T DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA LEONARD SLATKIN Music Director A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED ORCHESTRA shoplocal eatiocal listenlocal Buy tickets today at www.dso.orgibeighborhood or call 313.576.5111 BIG ROCK 0 00 PH 0 lis t HOSTS Stietheir'd Olegg qikrusich AT THE RESERVE AND DINNER AT BIG ROCK CHOPHOUSE Treat your mom to a day of delicious food and fun by taking her to BIG ROCK CHOPHOUSE'S annual Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday, May 13, 2012 at THE RESERVE. There will be two seatings, the first will be from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the second from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Brunch will begin with a champagne toast and will feature a variety of chef's stations. Cost is $47 for adults, $22 for children ages 6-11 and $7 for children 5 and under. Cost excludes tax, tip and valet. - BIG ROCK CHOPHOUSE will also be open for dinner that evening. Dinner menu begins at 5 p.m. Reservations are strongly suggested. For more information, call 248.647.7774. 248.647.7774 • bigrockchophouse.com 46 May 3 2012 he Michigan High School done it for 45 years." Athletic Association wants to Kaczander said parents who yell at honor Al Kaczander for the 45 him because they think a call made years he's been an official. against their child will ruin his or her But the West chances to play in college bug him, Bloomfield resident but he continues to be heartened by doesn't plan to the 99 percent of parents who enjoy attend the annual games and police the out-of-control MHSAA officials parents. awards banquet The best way for an official to Saturday, May 5, in avoid confrontations with coaches, Lansing. He didn't go Kaczander said, is to hustle and get as Al Kaczander to earlier banquets close to each play as possible. when he would have "If you're out there daydreaming, been honored for other milestones. you can get yourself in trouble he "That sort of recognition only said. means you've been around for a long Kaczander says he likes talking to time he said. "When I hear people tell players during games. He compliments me I've done a good.job, that they're and teaches them. glad to have me at their game, or they "A game at the high school level wonder where I've been, well, that's all should be a learning experience he the recognition I need. Maybe I'll go to said. "If I can help a kid, it makes my the banquet when they honor me for job a lot easier." 50 years:' After nearly a half-century of offi- Don't bet against Kaczander making ciating high school games, Kaczander it to 50 years. He says he enjoys offici- says he still appreciates the ringside ating, and that's what keeps him going seat he gets to watch current prep stars in the demanding, time-consuming and future college and professional profession. athletes. Kaczander, 65, is a man for all sea- He officiated basketball games sons. He officiates football, boys and played by Chris Webber and Shane girls basketball, and softball games. Battier when they were at Detroit He's done state finals in football and Country Day before they went on to softball. star in college and NBA. Because he played basketball in high Sometimes traveling can be a prob- school (Detroit Cass Tech) and college lem for officials, but it's part of the job. (Wayne State University), he considers "You're 40-50 miles from home after that his favorite sport to officiate. a game, and there's a snowstorm:' "Plus, you get the most exercise Kaczander said. "So, you tell your wife working basketball games, and you you won't be home at 9:30, and you'll don't have to deal with bad weather try to make it by 11:30. What else can outside he said. you do?" He finds football the toughest sport Kaczander and his very under- to officiate because "you have to pick standing wife, Joyce, will be married and choose when you have to call a 44 years in November. They have two penalty:' daughters and three grandsons. Burt Hurshe of Waterford has been There have been many times over officiating with Kaczander for most of 45 years when Kaczander has been the 45 years. He can't say enough good officiating, teaching and coaching things about his officiating partner at the same time. He was a physical and friend. education teacher and coach in "Al is honorable, trustworthy, profes- Southfield Public Schools for 38 years sional and punctual',' he said. "I don't before he retired five years ago. care what profession you talk about — milkman, lawyer, company president Please send sports news to sports@ — not many people can say they've thejewishnews.corn.